Mobil1 shows its product is a key component of successful teams in all aspects of motorsports and is right in the middle of the excitement and high-energy of NASCAR. - Mike Thompson, Senior Account Manager

Mobil1 showcases the energy and technology that goes into Mobil1 Synthetic Motor Oil over the last 40 years, while highlighting why its trusted by over half of NASCAR drivers on the track...and by millions of everyday drivers on the road. - Mike Thompson, Senior Account Manager

Mobil1 showcases the energy and technology that goes into Mobil1 Synthetic Motor Oil over the last 40 years, while highlighting why its trusted by over half of NASCAR drivers on the track...and by millions of everyday drivers on the road. - Mike Thompson, Senior Account Manager

Mobil1 shows its product is a key component of successful teams in all aspects of motorsports and is right in the middle of the excitement and high-energy of NASCAR. - Mike Thompson, Senior Account Manager

Photo via Dikembe Mutombo's Twitter account, @officialmutombo BUY TICKETS: See the races in Las Vegas RELATED: See Harvick's paint scheme and all the Las Vegas looks LAS VEGAS –Kevin Harvick and NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo teamed up to unveil Mobil 1's newest Annual Protection product on Thursday evening at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. The official oil of NASCAR and the NBA, Mobil 1 Annual Protection is designed with the slogan "One year. One oil change," and will serve as an efficient product that allows consumers to skip the multiple oil change trips. "Mobil 1 Annual Protection breaks conventional wisdom as it relates to changing your oil," said Michele Biamonte, automotive marketing manager for ExxonMobil. "We know consumers stay more busy than ever, and so Mobil 1 Annual Protection guarantees protection of your engine for one full year." Mobil 1 Annual Protection will adorn Harvick's No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford as its primary sponsor in this weekend's Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (3:30 p.m. Sunday, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). In addition to Harvick's No. 4 this weekend, Mobil 1 also will sponsor the other three Stewart-Haas Racing drivers throughout the season: Danica Patrick at Bristol Motor Speedway, Kurt Busch at Richmond International Raceway and Clint Bowyer at Texas Motor Speedway. "The car looks great even though it's green and I know a lot of people say green's bad luck and I tell them, 'Well just give me all the money in your pocket and I'll take it for the rest of the day,' " Harvick joked, gesturing to his Mobil 1 Annual Protection Ford on display. "... I got a little taste of being part of the (Mobil 1) family over the last couple years and to be able to put that on our engines, transmissions, rim gears every week for qualifying, I smile because I know the car's going to run faster and I don't have to do anything different than what I did in practice. "...One year, one oil change -- sounds pretty simple to me. I think when you look at the concept, it makes sense." Even more simply: "Don't change your oil," Mutombo said with his signature finger wag, met with a chorus of laughs. For Mutombo, who filmed a series of Mobil 1 commercials with Harvick, the Mobil 1 connection gives him the opportunity to experience NASCAR firsthand this weekend at Las Vegas. "Over my career, I've played in front of 20,000 people," Mutombo said. "But I've never seen a crowd of 60,000, 70,000 people. And seeing the tire being changed in 11 seconds, according to Kevin ... I'm looking forward to seeing that up close. How can somebody change four tires in 11 seconds and get back on the track without losing 100 yards? ... I'm looking to learn as much as I can." But it's not just the pit crew: the former NBA star also spoke to the athleticism of the drivers. "I don't know what (the drivers) eat in the morning to go around more than 100, 200 times," Motumbo said. "I cannot do that -- I would get dizzy and collapse. "... You have to be physically fit and mentally fit for you to just sit inside there and look around for 200 times, 300 times." Harvick, Mutombo and the newly unveiled No. 4 Mobil 1 Annual Protection Ford will hit the track Sunday for the Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Trust @KevinHarvick . You can protect your engine for one year with Mobil 1 Annual Protection. https://t.co/xe7DPN2l2T #1Year1OilChange pic.twitter.com/VhBU6abjVm — Mobil 1 (@ Mobil1 ) March 10, 2017

MORE: New looks for 2017 Seeing someone other than Tony Stewart in the No. 14 next year is going to look weird for a while. The Stewart-Haas Racing Twitter account is helping preparations by giving us a glimpse of the future. 'Smoke' has driven that number since 2009, when he left Joe Gibbs Racing and the No. 20 to co-found Stewart-Haas Racing . Now that he has retired from full-time competition, Clint Bowyer will pilot the No. 14 Ford in 2017. Wonder what he looks like in a Mobil 1 fire suit? Wonder no more -- just see below. First look at @ClintBowyer in his @ Mobil1 uniform. We give it a big . Glad to have you onboard, Clint! #shrFORDward pic.twitter.com/cTZs5Mgeln — Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) January 8, 2017 &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Busch Beer will return to Kevin Harvick 's No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing car in 2017 -- and beyond. The brand announced Thursday that it is upping the number for primary sponsorship races from 12 to 16 over the next three years after the two sides extended their partnership. Harvick, one of eight drivers remaining in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup , and team announced the news via a social media video. "From the retro look at Darlington to the blaze-orange hunting scheme at Charlotte, there's been buzz every time one of the Busch paint schemes hits the track," Harvick said in a press release. "The fans let us know how thrilled they were to have Busch back in the sport last year, and I'm looking forward to getting back to Victory Lane with the Busch logo on the hood in 2017 and beyond." Harvick also will have sponsorship from Mobil1 and Jimmy John's next season, when SHR will switch manufacturers from Chevrolet to Ford. . @BuschBeer continues racing heritage, will be back in 2017 on the hood of No. 4 car. @KevinHarvick & friends raise a glass to celebrate! pic.twitter.com/f91S3zR9zv — Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) November 3, 2016

Tony Stewart takes in the sights at Memphis zoo with Mobil 1 partners Today, Tony Stewart is expected to announce his retirement from NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition following the 2016 season -- at least that's what sources told NASCAR.com. So one day before the big announcement, how was 'Smoke' getting prepared? By visiting the zoo. In Memphis, Tennessee. At the Memphis Zoo with our friends from @ Mobil1 pic.twitter.com/DywMfL31Nv — Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) September 29, 2015 Maybe that actually makes sense. A throng of media will descend on Stewart-Haas Racing 's shop later today, so that will be a zoo in its own right.

RACE DAY LINKS: Starting lineup " Full Sunday schedule " Every paint scheme RICHMOND, Va. -- Tony Stewart was smiling, friendly and even a bit chatty talking with crew members as he left his Richmond International Raceway garage stall long after most drivers had called it a day following final practice for Sunday's Toyota Owners 400 (1 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The feeling he conveyed Saturday morning was unmistakable. He is happy to be back and there genuinely appears no one more excited to take this weekend's green flag. And it's a good bet he'll receive quite the ovation from the Richmond crowd when he's introduced. Stewart will start his No. 14 Mobil 1 Chevrolet 18th on the 40-car grid -- his first start since the 2015 Sprint Cup Series finale in November at Homestead-Miami Speedway . He has spent the first eight races of the 2016 season healing from a broken back -- an injury sustained in an all-terrain vehicle accident on Jan. 31. In an interview with FOX before the race, Stewart was at ease and smiling, saying the conditions were perfect for his return -- the race is at Richmond, his favorite track, it's in the daytime and the track will get hot, leading to plenty of sliding. "I just expect to go do what I always do," Stewart said. "Just get in and do the best I can." Stewart surprised the racing world this week announcing his return to Cup competition via Twitter on Thursday. Well, the long wait is over. I'll be back in my @ Mobil1 Chevy this weekend at Richmond. I can't wait to race again #SmokeWillRise — Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) April 21, 2016 There has been a lot of welcoming for Stewart this weekend at Richmond. Although he is co-owner of the four-car Stewart-Haas Racing team and has been at several races in his ownership role, there was no mistaking his eagerness and energy as he returned to work as a driver. And the feeling was mutual, as NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty showed by embracing the three-time champ in the garage. Stewart didn't have any formal media sessions at Richmond, but addressed his whirlwind weekend in a tweet on Sunday morning. It's been overwhelming this weekend with friends, drivers, crew members, and officials welcoming me back as a driver. Makes me smile — Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) April 24, 2016 After making his first start of 2016 here at the .75-mile track, Stewart will qualify and run opening laps next week at Talladega Superspeedway before having Ty Dillon replace him on the 2.66-mile track's high banks. In between, Stewart is scheduled to participate in a tire test at his "home" track, Indianapolis Motor Speedway , in preparation for his final Brickyard 400 on July 24. NASCAR granted Stewart a waiver, giving him an opportunity to make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup if he wins a race and climbs to 30th in the points standings by the end of the Sept. 10 regular-season finale in Richmond. All the drivers within the top 30 in points with a victory automatically earn a Chase bid. If 16 drivers don't have wins, then the Chase positions go in order to those ranked highest in points among the top 30. "We are glad to have him back," Joey Logano said Friday. "The number 14 has been out there every week but Tony hasn't been in it so it is nice to have Tony back out in his final year. "I can imagine he wants to go out on a good note and it is nice to have him back in the car and be in that position where he loves to be and try to end his career on a high note." Richmond has historically been a good venue for Stewart. He has three wins here, 11 top-five and 19 top-10 finishes in 33 starts. His first career Cup victory was in 1999 at Richmond.

RELATED: Full Stewart coverage " Drivers react to Stewart's return RICHMOND, Va. -- The feeling around the NASCAR garage at Richmond International Raceway on Friday was both unanimous and magnanimous. Tony Stewart 's return to Sprint Cup Series competition this weekend was the big news of the week, possibly the year and he was greeted by welcome text messages, friendly pats on the back, and lots of smiles and goodwill. NASCAR legend Richard Petty, whose team's car was parked in the garage stall next to Stewart's, sought Stewart out and embraced him. By the time Stewart, 44, climbed into his No. 14 Mobil 1 Chevrolet for Friday morning's opening practice, many of his competitors had stopped by to shake the three-time champ's hand or wish him well in his first racing weekend since the 2015 season finale. Doctors cleared Stewart to compete this weekend after an eight-race absence while his body healed from a broken back -- an injury he suffered during an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident just before the season began. RELATED: Stewart's return is the talk of the garage Stewart broke the news of his return himself on Twitter Thursday saying, "Well the long wait is over. I'll be back in my @ Mobil1 Chevy this weekend at Richmond. I can't wait to race again." Then he added, "The Dr's said my scans ‘looked much better than they thought they would after 3 months.' So they cleared me." He will start Sunday's Toyota Owners 400 from the 18th-place on the grid -- his position in the only practice on a day shortened because of rain. But the weather was the only downer on a day dominated by a warm and enthusiastic welcome back for Stewart. "I don't know about from the NASCAR standpoint, but from a competitor's standpoint Tony is one of the fiercest competitors in the sport so to have him there and have someone to battle against is fun," Carl Edwards said. Stewart's Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Kevin Harvick won the pole for Sunday's race thanks to a chart-topping run in Friday's only practice and it certainly sets the stage for a grand return of the team's namesake. Stewart's team confirmed their leader is re-energized and enjoying the positive reinforcement throughout the garage and in the grandstands. "It's been interesting just for the fact that I came to Stewart-Haas Racing to race with Tony, and obviously it's been an in-and-out of the car situation for the last two and a half years," Harvick said. "So, to see where he was from a personal standpoint over the time from when he got hurt and everything that happened, and see his interaction from the owner's standpoint over the last several weeks has been very interesting to me, just to see how engaged he was and how excited he was and how relaxed and into what was going on." And his fellow competitors want to see "Smoke" go out strong. "This is a retirement season for him and it was a little bit delayed, but he's now going to some of the these race tracks for the final time and I know just in general, Tony has been around and traveling each week to the race and tracks and been very hands on with his race team," Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin said Friday. "It's a great season and I would love to see him make a Chase push if he can and end on a good note."

RELATED: Full Stewart coverage Three-time NASCAR premier series champion Tony Stewart will return to competition this weekend at Richmond International Raceway , ending a season-opening run that saw the 44-year-old sidelined due to a back injury sustained in late January. Stewart made the announcement Thursday via his Twitter account. Well, the long wait is over. I'll be back in my @ Mobil1 Chevy this weekend at Richmond. I can't wait to race again #SmokeWillRise — Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) April 21, 2016 The Dr's said my scans "looked much better than they thought they would after 3 months". So they cleared me #SmokeWillRise — Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) April 21, 2016 Thanks for everyone’s support & well wishes. @ Mobil1 @BassProShops @RushTruckCenter @Code3Associates @CocaColaRacing @TeamChevy — Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) April 21, 2016 Later Thursday, NASCAR announced that Stewart had been granted a waiver for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup , and is eligible to qualify for the postseason. The surest way to do that is win a race, and get into the top 30 in points. "NASCAR received the appropriate medical clearance documentation allowing Tony Stewart to resume normal racing activities," NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O'Donnell said. "We also have granted the request from Stewart-Haas Racing for a waiver for Tony to be eligible to qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup . As he begins his final season, we wish Tony the best of luck." The Indiana native is co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing , a four-team NASCAR Sprint Cup Series organization that also fields entries for 2014 series champion Kevin Harvick , 2003 champ Kurt Busch and Danica Patrick . Brian Vickers and Ty Dillon have filled in as driver of Stewart's No. 14 Chevrolet this season during his absence. Vickers was initially scheduled to be in the car this weekend as the series heads to Richmond for Sunday's Toyota Owners 400 (1 p.m., FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). MORE: Drivers react to Stewart's return to racing Stewart will also represent SHR at a Goodyear tire test April 26-27 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway , and will practice and qualify his car next weekend at Talladega. He will start that race, but then yield the car to Dillon. "We're taking a strategic approach to my return," Stewart said in a team release. "Richmond is a track where I feel very comfortable and because it's a short track, the speeds are substantially less. The Goodyear test in Indy is sort of a controlled environment, allowing me to get more acclimated with my car at higher speeds. We'll start the Talladega race to get the points, but understanding the style of racing and the higher potential of getting involved in an incident, we thought it was best to minimize the amount of time I'm in the car. I'll return full time at Kansas and enjoy every moment I can in my final year of Sprint Cup . "I appreciate everyone's patience and all the support they've given me the last couple of months, but the best medicine will come this weekend at Richmond when I finally get to go racing." Team officials announced Feb. 2 that Stewart had sustained a back injury in a non-racing accident on Jan. 31 while driving an off-road vehicle. He was transported to a local hospital on the west coast, diagnosed with a burst fracture of the L1 vertebra and eventually transported to a Charlotte, N.C.-area hospital. According to Stewart, doctors inserted two rods and three screws to stabilize the injured area of his back. He was eventually cleared to return to the race track, but not as a competitor, where he has helped oversee the operations of the SHR organization. Stewart announced Sept. 30, 2015 that the 2016 season would be his last as a driver in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series and that Clint Bowyer would take over his role behind the wheel of the No. 14 entry beginning in 2017. Stewart currently has 48 career victories. He won two championships with Joe Gibbs Racing (in 2002 and ’05) and edged Carl Edwards for the 2011 title while at SHR. MORE: Photos of Tony through the years

'Smoke' will run classic No. 14 scheme at Bojangles' Southern 500 BUY: Stewart throwback paint scheme and more " GO: Buy tickets to the event REVEAL: Retweet if you love @TonyStewart 's #14 @BassProShops ​ Classic/ @ Mobil1 ​ Chevy for @TooToughToTame in Sept. pic.twitter.com/3oY2nWCWjn — Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) May 26, 2015 So, what do you think, race fans? With Darlington Raceway throwing itself back to the old days with a traditional Labor Day Bojangles’ Southern 500 (Sept. 6, 7 p.m. ET, NBC), Tony Stewart will run the retro paint scheme – one of many we're likely to see. His Stewart-Haas Racing teammate and the defending Sprint Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick unveiled his throwback scheme for Darlington earlier this month. The only question that remains now -- with that race being the penultimate chance for a driver to make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup , will we will see a Throwback Tony Stewart (currently winless) come through in the clutch to race in the postseason? FULL SERIES COVERAGE • Latest news • Standings • Schedule

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